Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are scheduled and offers insight and analysis to help predict who will be victorious in head-to-head matchups.

Luukkonen will attempt to rebound after stopping just 23 of 28 shots in a 6-2 loss to Seattle on Saturday. He's 13-13-4 with a 3.02 GAA and an .896 save percentage in 31 outings in 2024-25. Carolina ranks sixth in goals per game with 3.34.

Ryan McLeod scored his first-career hat trick and the Buffalo Sabres held on for 4-2 win against the visiting Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday. Dylan Cozens also scored for the Sabres, who have won three of four.

FINAL | Sabres 4 - Hurricanes 2 Lindy Ruff addresses the media Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen addresses the media Dylan Cozens addresses the media Ryan McLeod addresses the media The Sabres conclude their three-game homestand Friday versus the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tickets are available here.

BUFFALO -- Ryan McLeod got his first NHL hat trick in a 4-2 win for the Buffalo Sabres against the Carolina Hurricanes at KeyBank Center on Wednesday. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 34 saves and Dylan Cozens scored for the Sabres (17-22-5), who are 6-3-1 since a 13-game losing streak (0-10-3).

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 35 saves ... Buffalo held on in the third period. Hurricanes: This is the first time Carolina has lost two in a row since they dropped two straight around the Christmas ...

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Ryan McLeod scored two goals and the Buffalo Sabres beat the Carolina Hurricanes ... for the third time in four games. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 35 saves.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 35 saves ... Buffalo Sabres center Ryan McLeod, center, celebrates after scoring as Carolina Hurricanes goalie Dustin Tokarski (34) and center Sebastian Aho (20) look ...

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 35 saves ... Buffalo held on in the third period. Hurricanes: This is the first time Carolina has lost two in a row since they dropped two straight around the Christmas ...

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 35 saves ... Buffalo held on in the third period. Hurricanes: This is the first time Carolina has lost two in a row since they dropped two straight around the Christmas ...

Seth Jarvis had two goals and sparked the Carolina Hurricanes' big second period in a 7-4 victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday in Raleigh, N.C. Sebastian Aho and Jarvis both had a goal and two assists in the five-goal second.

Louis’ team defeated the Lightning, who visited the Bell Centre last night. But there were also seven other games played in the NHL: The Rangers have been doing better lately and were looking to build on their momentum against the Sens.